Window structure



May 21, 1963 P. E. BECHTOLD 3,

' WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 28, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

42] BY PAUL BECHTOLD y 21, 1963 P. E. BECHTOLD 3,090,613

WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 28, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

PAUL BECHTOLD BY F- E. BECHTOLD WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 28, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 sex? I l l I 5 r I 0 90 1 I l I l fLfiJ I If o ifes 2" INVENTOR.

PAUL BECHTOLD 3,090,613 WINDOW STRUCTURE Paul E. Bechtold, 26 Kaywoeri Road, Port Washington, N.Y. Filed Jan. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 789,712 2 Claims. (Cl. 268-99) This invention relates to a window structure and, more particularly, to a skylight which is to be associated with a roof.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved skylight which is weatherproof and leakproof as well as being adapted to be inserted as a unit into a finished roof, and open upwardly.

Another object is to provide a skylight construction for insertion in a finished roof while, at the same time, being prefabricated to present a domed or outwardly convex window together With a one-piece flashing frame and automatic window frame displacement actuating means.

A further object is to provide an improved skylight which tends to preserve the entire silhouette and architectural lines of a house, thereby avoiding the necessity of the conventional dormers for such roof purposes while, at the same time, keeping costs at an extreme minimum.

An important object is to provide an improved skylight capable of being installed as a unit after making a simple rectangular cut in an existing roof, or incorporating such skylights in a roof under construction for connection with such rooms in which wall windows are undesirable in an effort to avoid drafts and maintain maximum privacy, as is the case in recommended bathroom designs.

Still another object is to provide an improved skylight capable of supplying maximum outside exposure to light and air, maintaining maximum privacy, decreasing the necessity of eliminating condensation, heat loss and the need of storm windows, while appreciably increasing ventilation as compared to the same size vertically hung window.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a roof which incorporates a skylight fabricated in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 showingin solid linesa window frame in a closed position and in a partially opened position by means of phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4 -4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the one-piece flashing 7 frame of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the window frame raising or actuating mechanism taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 2 with certain parts broken away and removed;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; 1

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the electrical system of the window actuating mechanism.

In the drawings, a roof 10 is illustrated as having incorporated therein a skylight structure. The roof 10, on one hand, has roof sheathing 13 which is covered or overlaid with conventional shingles 14, while, on the other hand, the skylight 12 includes a swinging window unit 16 and box-like frame 18 as well as flashing frame assets Patented May 21,1963

25). Although the frames for the window unit 16 and box-like frame 18 are illustrated as being fabricated from suitable lumber, it should be understood that these frames may be formed from metallic materials such as aluminum.

The skylight 12 preferably comprises a domed shaped or exteriorly convex light-transparent window 22. In this connection, the window 22 may be formed from a suitable resinous material commerically employed for such purposes. The window 22 preferably terminates along its periphery in a depending integral skirt 24. This window 22 is anchored to a window frame 26 which carries a felt strip 28 along its upper exposed surface in an effort to effectively seal the juncture between the window 22 and window frame 26. The window 22 may be anchored to the window frame 26 by conveniently locating a plurality of screws 30 which extend through the skirt 24 into the window frame 26. The window frame 26 is formed with a rabbet 32, which also carries a felt strip 34 which, in turn, is adapted to abut against the associated outer surface of the flashing frame 20 in sealing relationship when the skylight 12 is in a closed position, as illustrated by the solid lines in FIG. 2. Obviously, the overhang provided by skirt 24 may be increased if desired, but, neverthelss, it cooperates to prevent wind-blown water and the like from contacting and even penetrating the sealed juncture between the felt strip 34!- and the associated surfaces of the flashing frame 20.

The box frame 18 is suitably supported in the roof 10 on headers 36. This box frame 18 includes a rear panel 38 and a front panel 40, the latter of which coop erates to properly mount a window raising or actuating mechanism 42. The rear panel 38, on the other hand, mounts a suitable number of hinges 43 which are also connected to the window frame 26 in order to permit the window unit 16 pivotal movement with respect to the box-like frame 18 as well as the flashing frame 20.

The box frame 18 extends exteriorly of the roof 10 with the flashing frame 20 mounted over such exterior portions of the frame 18. The flashing frame 20 is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 5 and is four-sided with an upright front wall 44, an upright rear wall 46 and two substantially identical upright side walls 48 and 50 extending from each of these walls 44, 46, 48 and 50, and lateral flanges in the form of aprons which are integral with and continuous from their respective walls. Thus, the aprons 52, 54, 56 and 58 are associated respectively with walls 44, 46, 48, 50. Each of the aprons 56 and 58 has its outer periphery folded back upon itself to form lips 69 and 62, respectively. The flashing frame 20 is additionally provided with a relatively short in-turned flange 64 extending from the upper edge of the walls 44, 46, 48 and 50. This in-turned flange is adapted to rest upon the upper exposed edges of the box-like frame 18 with the flashing frame walls 44, 46, 48 and 50 snugly embracing the outer exposed surfaces thereof.

As illustrated, the rear apron 54 is conveniently covered by shingles 14 of the roof 10 and, in turn, overlies the roof sheathing 13. This rear apron 54 extends beneath the adjacent shingles 14 for a greater distance than the other aprons, in order to prevent water from backing up against the rear wall 46 of the flashing frame 20 and under the overlying shingles 14 beyond the point where the rear apron 54 seals off the joint between flashing frame 20 and the roof sheathing 13. The side aprons 56 and 58 are similarly in a position between the sheathing 13 and shingles 14.

The lips 60 and 62 of the side aprons 56 and 58, respectively, tend to contain any seeping water, and prevent it from running under the side aprons 56 and 58 to the corresponding juncture between the flashing frame 20 and roof sheathing 13. On the other hand, the front apron 52 rests against the upper surface of the shingles 3 14. As will be observed in FIG. 1, a relatively minor sector of the side aprons 56 and 58 will be similarly seated upon the shingles 14 so that the bottom zones of lips '60 and 62 communicate with the exposed faces of the adjacent shingles '14 to provide a suitable drain for any liquids channeled therein.

This invention contemplates the formation of apron 52 with a slight downward inclination. Accordingly, the

apron 52 in its final assembled position extends downwardly with relation to the panel 44) of the box-like frame 1 8 so that its outer edge is held in close engagement with the upper surfaces of the adjacent shingles 14. This serves to provide a more effective seal between the outer edges of the apron 52 and such shingles 14.

Referring now to the window unit actuating assembly 42, it will be observed that an operator chain 66 is anchored to a plate 68 which, in turn, is suitably connected centrally to the innermost face of the forward panel portion of the window frame 26. This operator chain is commercially available and includes a plurality of spaced pairs of reduced discs 'or plates 70 connected in series by means of a plurality of pins 72. This chain possesses some degree of flexibility and, as is the case in the present invention, is capable of transversing a right angle while being displaced. A sprocket drive 74 is adapted toimpart to the chain 66 the desired displacement and is mounted by the housing 76. The other end of the chain 66 is adapted to be displaced within the guide track 78 and advantageously mounts a projecting striking pin 80', the purpose of which will become apparent shortly. The sprocket drive 74 is connected for rotation with a geared .down motor 82 which is suitably mounted within the housing 76 through a flexible coupling 84. The motor 82 includes an integral gear box 86 and an upper section 88 which is adapted to raise the skylight 12 while section 90 of the motor is adapted to lower this unit.

In the path of travel of the projecting striking pin 80 are pivotal arms of a downward limit switch 92 and an upward limit switch 94. The downward limit switch 92 is electrically connected to the lower section 90 of motor 82, both of which are connected to a remote three-pole switch 96 at terminals 98. A properly rated fuse 100' is connected in series between the motor section 90 and associated terminal 98. The upward limit switch 94, on the other hand, is electrically connected to the upper motor section 88, both of which are series connected to terminals 102 of the three-pole switch 96 and a suitable fuse 104. Each of the fuses 100 and '104 form part of a fuse and distribution box 106, which is suitably mounted within the housing 76. Obviously, the remote switch box 96 may be properly located at any desired location with respect to the skylight 12 by suitably extending the electrical leads to the fuse and distribution box .106. When the selected'location of the switch 96 is determined, suitable electrical connection can be made to the house circuit.

In operation, it will beapparent that when switch 96 is in its off or open position, no current will pass through either the circuit, which is ad-apted to raise the window unit 16, or the circuit adapted to lower this unit. When the switch 96 is thrown to its closed downward position, with the switch contact arms engaging terminals 102, the upward section 88 of the motor 82 is energized and, thusly, rotation is imparted to the sprocket drive 74 through flexible coupling 84 to drive the operator chain 66 upwardly. This upward movement of the chain 66- will raise the window unit 16 about its associated hinges 43. The rate of opening of this window unit 16 is reduced as a result'of the gear train 86. Naturally, the rate of opening, or even closing, of the window unit 16 can be increased by the proper selection of a suitable gear train 86, which is to be incorporated into the structure of the closed-is tripped to an open position by the striking pin 80. Thus, the associated circuit is opened to thereby stop the lower section of the motor '82. It should be clear that the opening of the window'unit 16 may be stopped prior to its reaching its fully opened position by simply opening the electrical connection across the terminals 102 of switch 96.

To lower or close the window unit 16, the contact arms of switch 96 are moved into engagement with the terminals 98. The electrical circuit for lowering the window unit 16 operates in substantially a similar manner as that present in the aforedescribed opening of this window unit. Thus, when a fully closed position for this Window unit 16 is obtained, the downward limit switch 92 is opened to thereby stop the motor section 90 of motor 82. Accordingly, the window raising mechanism, as described, is efiicient in its operation and advantageous in its simplicity. Furthermore, this window raising mechanism is significant because it provides for a gradual opening and closing of the window between a fully closed to a fully opened position with the possibility of selectively adjusting the resultant amount of opening and angle between the window unit 16 and associated roof 10. All of these important advantages are accompanied by a substantially leakproof dome type skylight construction which, in itself, is also of extreme simplicity, j

The aforedescribed window structure may be equipped with a conventional screen unit (not shown) which may be releasably anchored to either the box-like frame '18 or Window frame 26 without obstructing the proper functioning of the window actuating mechanism 42. Similarly, an additional window layer (not shown) may be releasably anchored'to either the box-like frame 18 or window frame 26 to prevent heat loss and condensation by providing a dead air space between itself and the dome shaped window 22. The employment of such screens and additional window liners is conventional in the art and, for this reason, they are not illustrated because thestructure and employment thereof will be obvious tothose skilled in the art.

In addition to, or in lieu of, the manually operated switch 96, it is contemplated that a temperature responsive means or circuit, alone or in combination with a humidity responsive means or circuit, could be coupled with the circuitry illustrated in FIG. 8 to open and close window, said window actuating means comprising an electrical circuit and an operator drivably associated with said circuit and adapted to be connected with the window to raise and lower the window upon energization of said circuit, said circuit including a geared-down motor, said operator including a chain and a longitudinally'extending guiding track, said chain having a first portion thereof disposed within said guiding track andra second portion projecting from said guiding track and disposed at substantially a right angle to said first portion, said first and second portions defining a plane, the remote end of said second portion being adapted for connection with the window, said chain being longitudinally displaceable in said guiding track, said chain being disto'rtable in the plane of said first and second portions but relatively inflexible in a direction angularly of said plane, said motor being driveably connected to said chain at the juncture of said first and second portions to impart movement thereto upon energization of said circuit to raise and lower the window, said circuit including a pair of switches References Cited in the file of this patent each of which includes a movable contact arm, a striking UNITED STATES PATENTS pin projecting laterally from said chain and being movable therewith, each of said arms being in the path of 1,606,621 Flschel' 1926 travel of said pin so that said pin will engage one of said 5 1,771,107 Abt July 0 arms to deenergize said circuit upon attainment of a pre- 1983521 Cooke 1934 determined limit of opening of said window and said pin 2'693156 Wasserman 1954 will engage the other of said arms to deenergize said cir- 2,803,454 Tatro 1957 cuit upon attainment of a closed position of said window, 2,827,003 Stetson 1958 and said circuit further including a switch for selectively 10 2832590 Youngberg 1958 energizing and deenergizing said circuit. 2,875,710 Bach/01d 1959 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a gz' $3 flexible coupling is interposed between said cham and said 2,944,810 Smettig et a1 y 1960 motor and forms a part of the drive of said motor in raising and lowering the window. 15 

1. FOR USE IN A WINDOW STRUCTURE FOR A ROOF OPENING IN A BUILDING, A WINDOW ACTUATING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON SAID STRUCTURE FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE WINDOW, SAID WINDOW ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND AN OPERATOR DRIVABLY ASSOICATED WITH SAID CIRCUIT AND ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED WITH THE WINDOW TO RAISE AND LOWER THE WINDOW UPON ENERGIZATION OF SAID CIRCUIT, SAID CIRCUIT INCLUDING A GEARED-DOWN MOTOR, SAID OPERATOR INCLUDING A CHAIN AND A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING GUIDING TRACK, SAID CHAIN HAVING A FIRST PORTION THEREOF DISPOSED WITHIN SAID GUIDING TRACK AND A SECOND PORTION PROJECTION FROM SAID GUIDING TRACK AND DISPOSED AT SUBSTANTIALLY A RIGHT ANGLE TO SAID FIRST PORTION, SAID FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS DEFINING A PLANE, THE REMOTE END OF SAID SECOND PORTION BEING ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION WITH THE WINDOW, SAID CHAIN BEING LONGITUDINALLY DISPLACEABLE IN SAID GUIDING TRACK, SAID CHAIN BEING DISTORTABLE IN THE 